Differentially balanced torque transmission



Feb. 16, 1943. V c, J BURACZYNSK] I 2,311,150

DIFFERENTIALLY BALANCED TORQUE TRANSMISSION Filed Nov. 10, 194]. 5 Sheets-Sheet l I Q I r/04 I Kzsz'warJfimcWk WITNESS i 2 1943- c. J. BURACZYNSKI 2,311,150

' DIFFERENTIALLY BALANCED TORQUE TRANSMISSION Filed Nov. 10, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 //4 ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1943- c. .1. BURACZYNSKI 2,311,150

DIFFERENTIALLY BALANCED TORQUE TRANSMISSION Filed Nov. 10, 1941 r s sheets-sheet;

ATTO R N EYS WITNESS Patented Feb. 16, 1943 OFFICE DIFFERENTIAL BALANCED TORQUE TRANSMISSION Casimer J. Buraczynski, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application November 10, 1941, Serial No. 418,559

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to the transmission of motion, as between a driver and a driven means, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved differentially balanced torque transmission.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I-l of Figure 2, with certain shafts illustrated in elevation;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with certain parts illustrated in elevation;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view of a portion 7 of a drag unit;

Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional detail view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of another form of the invention; and

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 8--8 of Figure 7.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, the drive shaft 18 extends loosely through bearings 12 on the housing M of a drag unit I6 as well as through a bearing l8 in the housing 20 of a differential unit 22. Arranged axially of the drive shaft I0 is a driven shaft 24 extending loosely through a bearing 26 on the housing 28. To the inner end of the shaft 24 is fixedly secured a large bevel gear 28, as by a key 30, and the gear is in mesh with a bevel gear 32 keyed at 34 to a shaft 36 rotatably carried in bearings 38 on the transmission housing 28. Shaft 36 is positioned at right angles to the lar 60 may be shifted axially on the shaft 36, the

collar is keyed against relative rotation, as at- 52 in Fig. 3. About the clutch collar 50 is positioned an actuating collar 54 which fits looselyon the clutch .collar and is provided with diatively to the clutch collar 58 when moved axially common axis of the drive shaft Ill and the driven 4 shaft 24.

on the shaft 36, which gears ar -in mesh with a bevel gear 44 keyed to the drive shaft Ill. Gear 44, which connects directly with the drive shaft I0, is of relatively small diameter'with respect to the bevel gears 40 and 42, while the bevel gear 32, which drives the bevel gear 28, is of relatively small diameter with respect to the gear 28. Accordingly, the gear train is in the nature of a speed reducer, so as to develop a powerful torque effective on the driven shaft 24.

In Figs. 2 and 3, each of the gears 48 and 42 is provided with clutch dogs 46 arranged to be selectively engaged by the clutch do s 48 on a clutch collar 58 mounted on the shaft 36 beof the drive shaft I'll or the driven shaft 24.

To the actuating. collar 54 is fixedly connected a pin 64 which is movable axially in a bore 66 in the gear 44 and located axially of the drive shaft I8. A pin 68 is also secured to the actuating collar ,54 diametrically opposite the pin 64 and is provided with a flange Ill loosely connected with a head 12 on a shaft 14 which slides freely in a bore 16 in the shaft 24, the bore being located axially'of the shaft. Flange 10 is rotatable relatively to the head I2 and the pin 64 and the shaft 14 may be moved axially to shift the clutch collar axially of the shaft 36 in either direction, depending upon the direction of movement imparted to the shaft 14. Inward movement of the shaft 14, as when viewing Fig. 2, shifts the clutch 'collar 50 to bring its clutch dogs 48 into engagement with the clutch dogs" 46 on the gear 42. Similarly, an outward pull on the shaft 14 shifts th clutch collar 50 in the .opposite direction to bring its clutch dogs 48 on its oppostie end into engagement with the clutch dogs 46 on the gear 40. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the clutch collar 50 in its neutral position, at which time both sets of clutch dogs 48 are completely disengaged from their respective clutch dogs 46 on the gears 40 and 42.

In Fig. 2, the driven shaft 24 is prdvided with slots 18 through which a pin 88 projects, which pin is fixedly secured to the shaft 14. The ends of the pin are riveted to a collar 82 grooved for 4 motion to the shaft 14, the latter and the collar tween the gears 48 and 42. ,While the clutch 001- 82 rotating with the driven shaft 24.

To the drive shaft I8 is keyed a hub 90, as at 92, which hub is provided with a series of radial vanes 94 located inside the housing l4. A similar series of vanes 96 is attached to the housing l4. The housing 14 constitutes a fluid container and both sets of vanes are located inside the housing.

For convenience in manufacture; the housing I4 is formed as a separate unit from the housing 20, butthe two housings are fixedly connected .asa unit through the medium of bolts 96' which extend through bores in a flange 98 on the housing 20 andare threaded into the wall I of the housing I 4. Wall IE8 is formed integrally with a peripheral wall I02 flanged at I04, as in Fig.1, I t6 which-flangeis secured a closure plate or cover I06 through the medium of bolts I08 extending through bores in the cover and threaded into the flange I 04. Housing 20 is also formed in sections H0 and H2 joined in a plane corresponding to the axis of the shaft 36, see Fig. 1. Flanges M4 on the sections lillsand H2 are fixedly clamped togther bybdlts I I5.

Figs, 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the section H2 of the housing 26 as being provided with ratchet teeth H8 for coaction with a pawl E20 pivotally mounted on a member I22 through the medium of a bolt I2 5. Member I22 may constitute a housing for enclosing the drag unit is and the differential unit 22 and relatively fixed with respect to the drag and difierential units. According to Fig. 6, the pawl 8% permits rotation of the housing 28 in the direction of the arrow I26 but restrains the housing from rotation in the opposite direction.

In operation, rotation of the drive shaft It, as in the direction of the arrow 528 in Fig. 2, rotates the gear 532 in the direction of the arrow I30 and the gear to in the opposite direction. No rotation is imparted to the. shaft 38 so'long as the clutch collar 5b is in the neutral-position of Figs. 2 and 3. 'Clutching engagement between the clutch dogs #8 adjacent the gear 42 and the clutch dogs 46 of that gear fixedly relates the gear to the shaft 35, so that the latter and the gear 32 will rotate in the same direction as the gear 42. Thus the gear 28, which is fixedly cone I nected with the driven shaft 24, will be rotated? in'the direction of the arrow I32 illustrated about the driven shaft.

The motions of the different parts of the transmission are determined by the gear ratios of the differential unit 22 and the conditions of power applied and load carried, except that the drag unit I 6 and the diflerential unit 22 are restrained from rotation in a negative direction, that is, opposite to the direction of the drive shaft iii because of the ratchet teeth- H8 and the pawl 520. When power is applied to the drive shaft Iii, the natural ten ncy of the gear 3 2 is to roll about the gear 28 and turn the drag unit l5 and the difierential unit 22 in the negative direction when the load effective on the driven shaft 25 is greater than the force of the drag between the vanes SQ, which are fixedly connected with the drive shaft it), and the vanes 96, which are fixedly connected with the drag vunit I5 and the difierentialunit 22, so far as rotary motion is concerned. Such negative rotation is entirely prevented by reason of the ratchet feature.

With power applied to the drive shaft it! against a given load efiective on the driven shaft 2d, the torque effective on the driven shaft is equal to the total gear ratio of the differential unit minus the power lost by the drag of the vanes 9d rotated by the drive shaft ill; that is,

at the drive shaft i 8 there is a power loss through the drag of its vanes through the liquid, but the remaining power is transmitted through a gear ratio (remembering that the drag unit IS and the differential unit 22 are stationary for the moment) .high enough tov overcome the load and also impart acceleration to the driven shaft.

Since the initial load is composed of inertia and friction, and as the inertial part of the load 5 is reduced by acceleration, the turning effort of the drag unit l8 and the differential unit 22 in a negative direction is reduced to the same extent, thus permitting the vanes 94 on the drive shaft I0 to turn the vanes 96 proportionately in 10 the positive direction, thereby reducing power loss to the extent that the drag between the two sets of vanes is reduced. Also the mechanical advantage is reduced because only a part of the available power is transmitted through the gears, the other part being direct. As the load is further reduced by acceleration and becomes constant, the effort of the dragv unit It and the t difierential unit 22 toturn in the negative direction is overcome or balanced by the drag of the vanes 36 on the drive shaft it, so that the drive shaft Ill, the driven shaft 25, the drag unit I5 and the dliferential unit 22 revolve at the same rate and in the same direction, and the torque effective on the driven shaft Zd-is equal to the g5 torque at the drive shaft it. Under such conditions, the transmission is in high gear.

When the driven shaft 2% is loaded to the point where it counteracts the tendency of the liquid to impart rotary motion to the vanes 86,

so the tendency, of the drag unit it and the differential unit 22 to turn in a negative direction is prevented by reason of the pawl Q29 and the ratchet teeth H8. Thus the driven shaft 24 is rotated at reduced speed and with increased power. In other words, the device is then in low gear. Between high gear and low gear, the device functions to provide all intermediate gear conditions in response to variable load conditions on. the driven shaft 24. All the gear adjustments 40 are secured automatically in response to different load conditions. The gear ratio of the difierential unit, in conjunction with the ratchet feature, is such, allowing for power loss in the drag unit, as to take up and sustain its load immediately upon the application of power. Without the ratchet, a torque would first have to bebuilt up before the transmission could take up the load.

Reversal of the transmission device is accomplished through adjustment of the clutch collar to bring its clutch do'est adjacent the gear 40 into clutching engagement with the clutch dogs 56 on that gear. For reversing purposes, the drag unit Iii and the difierential unit 22 are latched against rotation. vFig. 2 illustrates the member I22 as being provided with axially slidable pins 33% which are adapted to be pressedinto openings 5% in the section M2 of the differential housing 20 to restrain the housing from rotation. Compression springs I38 are interposed between the member I22 and the heads I40 ofithe pins to normally hold the latter in the retracted positions of Fig. 2.' When the actuating collar 54 is shifted for reversing purposes, the collar 88 is brought into engagement with the pins Wt for pressing the latter into the openings I36 to prevent planetary motion when the device is in reversing position. The transmission device is of relatively simple construction and incorporates relatively few parts. Forward and reverse motions are secured through the medium of only five gears arranged in a compact unit. More important, the transmission operates to take up and sustain its load immediately upon the application of power.

75 Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the invention in which a unitary structure, as at I64.

spur gears are used in lieu of bevel gears. The drag unit I42 encloses vanes I44 keyed to the drive shaft I46. The vanes I48 are fixedly related to the housing section I50, and the latter is bolted at I52 to the flange I54 on the housin section I58 of the differential unit I58. Section I88 and its companion section I80 of the differential unit are flanged at I82 and bolted into Between the flanges I82 and fixedly secured therebetween by the bolts I84 is a plate I86.

To the inner end of the drive shaft I48 is keyed a spur gear I88, which gear is in mesh with larger spur gears I keyed 'to shafts I12 rotatably supported in bearings I14 on the plate I88. Bearings I18'are also attached to the section I58 to afford additional support for the shafts I12. To each of site side of the plate. Both gears i18 mesh with an internal gear I82 mounted loosely on the driven shaft I84, which shaft is aligned axially with the drive shaft I48.

Within the bore I88 in the driven shaft I84 is slidably positioned a clutch shaft I88 having a clutch collar I90 keyed thereto by a pin I92 extending through slots I 94 in the driven shaft I84. Slots I94 are of such length as to permit adjustment of the clutch collar I90 longitudinally of the driven shaft I84, and the collar is provided with clutch dogs I98 and I98. Upon the adjacent face of the spur gear I80 is secured-clutch dogs 200 adapted to be engaged by the clutch dogs I96 when the clutch collar I90 is advanced in-the direction of the spur gear. Similar clutch dogs 202 are attached to the gear I82 to be engaged by the dogs I98 when the clutch collar I90 is advanced in the direction of the gear. Longitudinal adjustment of the clutch shaft I88 is accomplished through the medium of a collar 204 such as that disclosed in Fig. 2. The inner end of the driven shaft I84 extends loosely through an opening in the gear I80 and is supported-by a bearme 206.

absence of the pawl and ratchet feature, the gears I18 would merely roll on the gear I60 which would impart clockwise rotation to the transmission structure, when viewed according to Fig. 8. Thus the pawl and ratchet feature effectively restrains the device from such negative rotation so that the transmission structure of Figs. '7 and 8 will operate in the same manner as the device illustrated in Figs. 1 through 6.

To reverse, the clutch dogs I98 are moved into engagement with the clutch dogs 200 to fixedly relate the gear I82 with the driven shaft I84. Fig. '7 illustrates the clutch collar I90 in its neutral position, at, which time both the clutch dogs 200 and 202' are completely disconnected from the clutch collar. When the gear I82 is fixedly clutched to the driven shaft I84 for reversing purposes, the drag unit I42 and the differential unit I58 are fixed against rotation through the medium of a clutch 224.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, it is, of course, understood that I do not desire to limit the scope thereof to theexact details set forthexcept insofar as those details may be defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In. a power transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive member and a driven member, differential gearing operatively connect- Ratchet teeth 208 are provided on the section I80 of the differential unit, and a pawl 2I0 is mounted on the member 2 I2, which may comprise a housing, for engagement with .the ratchet teeth 208 to restrain the drag unit I42 and the differential unit I58 from negative rotation.

Rotation of the drive shaft I48 in the direction of the arrow 2 I4 rotates the gear I68 in the same direction, as indicated by the arrow 2I6 of Fig. 8, so that the gears I10 are rotated clockwise, as indicated by the arrows 2 I8. Since the gears I18 are keyed to the shafts I12, the former are rotated in the direction of the arrows 220, which in turn rotates the gear I80 in the direction of the arrow 222. With the clutch dogs I98 engaging the clutch dogs. 200 on the spur gear I80, the driven shaft I84 will rotate in the same direction as the drive shaft I48.

With a load on the driven shaft I84 and the shaft connected with the gear I80, the natural tendency of the drag unit I42 and the difierential unit I58 is to rotate in a negative direction,

that is oppositely the driven shaft I84. In the mg the drive member with the driven member, a rotary support for the difierential gearing including a fluid chamber, fluid transmission means inside said chamber fixedly related to said support, fluid transmission means inside said chamber fixedly secured to said drive member to rotate therewith relatively to said first-mentioned fluid,

but permitting rotation in the same direction, a

reversing gear, and means operatively connecting and disconnecting said reversing gear into and out of said differential gearing.

2. In a power transmission'mechanism, the t combination of a drive member and a driven member, differential gearing operatively connecting the drive member with the driven member, a rotary support for the'differential gearing including a fluid chamber, vanes inside said chamber fixedly secured to said support, vanes inside said chamber fixedly secured to said drive member to rotate therewith relatively to said first-mentioned vanes, means acting on said support to restrain the latter from rotation reversely of said drive member but permitting rotation in the same direction, a reversing gear, and means operatively connecting and disconnecting the reversing gear into and out of said differential gearing.

3. In a power transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive member and a driven member, differential gearing operatively connecting the drive member with the driven memrotate therewith relatively to said first-mentioned fluid transmission means, a reversing gear, means operatively connecting and disconnecting the reversing gear into and out of said differential gearing, a member relatively stationary with respect to said support, and a ratchet mechanism acting on said stationary member and said support to restrain the latter from rotation reversely of said drive member but permitting rotation in the same direction.

4. In a power transmission mechanism, the combination of a, drive member and a driven member, differential gearing operatively connecting the drive member with the driven member, a rotary support for the differential gearing including a .fluid chamber, vanes inside said chamber fixedly secured to said support, vanes inside said chamber fixedly secured to said drive member to rotate therewith relatively to said first-mentioned 'vanes, a reversing gear means operatively connecting and disconnecting said reversing "gear into and out of said diiferential gearing, a member relatively stationary with respect to said support, and a ratchet mechanism acting on said stationary member and said support to restrain the latter from rotation reversely of said drive member but permitting rotation in the same direction. i

5. The combination of a rotary gear housing having a shaft rotatably journaled therein and including a fluid chamber, a drive member having a first gear fixed thereto, a forward gear and a reverse gear loosely mounted on said shaft and meshing with said first gear for relative rotation in opposite directions, a third gear .keyed to said shaft, a driven gear keyed to'said driven member and meshing with said third gear, clutch parts respectively fixed to said forward and reverse gears, a clutch member keyed to said shaft but movable longitudinally thereon, a

clutch member actuating means for selectively shifting the clutch member into and out of engagement, with either of said clutch parts, vanes inside said fluid chamber fixed to the gear housing for rotation therewith, vanes inside said chamber fixed tosaid drive member for rotation therewith relatively to said first-mentioned,

, to said shaft, a driven gear keyed to said driven member and meshing with said third gear, clutch parts respectively fixed to said forward and reverse gears, a clutch member keyed to said shaft but movable longitudinally thereon, a clutch member actuating means for selectively shifting the clutch member into and out of engagement with either of said clutch parts, vanes inside said fluid chamber fixed to the gear housing for rotation therewith, vanes inside said chamber fixed to said driveinember for rotation therewith relatively to said first-mentioned vanes, means acting on said gear housing to restrain the latter fromrotation reversely of said.

drive member when said clutch member is in driving engagement with the clutch part of said foijward gear but permitting rotation in the same direction, and means restraining said gear housing from rotation when said clutch member is movedinto clutching engagement with said reverse gear. I

.7. The inv tion described in claim 5 wherein said forward ear and reverse gear are of larger diameter than said first gear, said third gear of smalier diameter than the forward and reverse gears and said driven gearof larger diameter than the forward and reverse gears.

8. The invention described in claim 5 wherein all said gears are of the bevel type.

9. The invention described in claim 5 wherein said first gear is provided with an axial bore, said driven member having a hollow extent, a pin on said clutch member slidable in said bore and supported by the pinion, and an actuating shaft fixed to said clutch member and slidable inside the hollow driven member.

10. The combination of "a rotary gear housing having. a drive member rotatably journaled and meshing with said firstgear, a fourth gear having a clutch part, fifth and sixth gears respectively keyed to said shafts and meshing with said fourth gear, a seventh gear meshing with said fifth and sixth gears and having a clutch part, a driven member loosely related to said fourth and seventh gears, a clutch member adapted to be moved into selective engagement with either of said clutch parts, means acting on said gear housing to restrain the latter from rotation reversely' of said drive member but permitting rotation in the same direction, vanes in said fluid chamber flxed to the gear housing for rotation therewith, and vanes inside said fluid chamber fixed to said drive member and movable relatively to said first-=mentioned vanes.

11. The invention described in claim 10 where- Y ternal ring type,

12; The invention described in claim 10 wherein means are provided for restraining said gear housing from rotation when said clutch member is moved into engagement with the clutch part on said seventh gear.

CASIMER J. BURACZYNSKI. 

